NEA announces New Play Development Project

January 03, 2008

washinton, D.C. — The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced a
new program, the NEA New Play Development Project (NPDP), to help the nation's
nonprofit theaters bring more new plays to full production.

The national program will be administered by DC-based Arena Stage's
American Voices New Play Program. Selecting and providing support for
exceptional new plays and new play development models will be a key
component of the program.

The NEA New Play Development Project will support the development of seven
new plays at theaters from across the country.

* Two projects selected as NEA Outstanding New American Plays will receive
up to $90,000 each to support advanced development, including at least one
full production.

* Five projects selected as NEA Distinguished New Play Development
Projects will receive up to $20,000 each to support the early stages of
development for a new play with strong potential to merit a full
production.

* In both cases, the selected plays will be developed in close
collaboration with the playwrights.